Sergio Garcia has issued an apology for his racist jibe at Tiger Woods.

The Spanish star shocked the the European Tour Player's Award dinner by joking he would serve the world No 1 "fried chicken" if he came around for dinner.

The slur is an echo of Fuzzy Zoeller's remarks at the 1997 Masters when he called Woods a "little boy" and told the media: "Tell him not to serve fried chicken next year. Or collard greens or whatever the hell they serve"

Sixteen years later the running feud between Garcia and Woods crossed the line in front of a packed audience at Heathrow Airport's Sofitel Hotel.

Billed as a celebration of the last year of European golf, the Spaniard was on stage with his victorious Ryder Cup team-mates and captain Jose Maria Olazabal.

Same again? It's the second time Woods has suffered a fried chicken insult (Image: Getty)

When asked by American compere Steve Sands how often he planned to invite Woods around for dinner at next month's US Open, Garcia replied: "We will have him around every night. We will serve fried chicken."

There were embarrassed groans around the room and several of Garcia's team-mates looked shocked. Less than two hours after the gaffe, in the early hours of this morning , Garcia issued a statement through the European Tour press office.

It read: "I apologise for any offence that may have been caused by my comment on stage during The European Tour Players' Awards dinner. I answered a question that was clearly made towards me as a joke with a silly remark, but in no way was the comment meant in a racist manner."